Collapsible and interchangeable block.



` R. DUNSEA'TH. I l

' COLLAPS'IBb AND lIIIITERCHANGEABLE BLOCK.

'APPLICATION FILED Dsc. 114.41914.

1,1469@ l I, PIIIIIIIIIII July 13, 1915.

. A i v 2 SHEETS-sum1. km2 qa f/'ef ff f 53 Il? Q` I I v (Rzmqihunewlx R. DlmsEATH.v COLLAPSIBLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCK. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 14', 1914. lgll lo V f Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET?. .5@

Wma: A 5 woe, who? .narran srarns manna orion.

ROBERT nUnsEA'rH, or NEW YORK, N; Y.x

Lineair;

Application lled Deceinber 14, 1914.1A SerialvNo. 877,137..

T0 all whom t may concern: 1

Be it known that I, ROBERT D'UNSEATH,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of `New York, county and State of New 5 York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Collapsible -andInterchangeable Blocks, of which the following'is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to a class of devices adapted to be used in thev work of raising and lowering bodies especially o'f heavy weight.

`My invention has for its object primarily to provide/'a block designed to be employedin. conjunction with -a cable or line whereby -articles may be hoistedrandlowere'd to and fromvarious heights, and which is of a collapsible and interchangeable form to permitits parts to be detached from each Other as Well as `allowing one or'more of the parts to be replaced when damaged by. wear orI otherwise. .v Y

, The invention consists essentially of a. num# ber of .plates each having an opening inits center and a larger communicating opening therethrough. Through the large opening. of each plate is guidedl a shaft having a pluralityof spaced annular grooves -inits periphery, and each plate is adjusted on the shaft so'that the ledge of its small vopening `will be removably seated in one'of the an- 'nular grooves of thel shaft, these grooves j being of `widths whereby the. plates willA be prevented 'from lateral movement on the shaft. .Also on' the sha-ft'between each pair of the plates is a freelyrevoluble bushing .y

having awfreely rotatable sheave mounted thereon. The normal widths of each of they bushings and its sheave correspond approximately tothe width of the part .of the .shaft between the annular grooves thereof on Whicli'they are mounted as well as conforming substantially with the space between the opposed plates so as to cause thebushings and thesleeves to revolve on -a true line without lateral movement, thereby tending to equalize the wear of thebushings and the sheaves as well as preventing the plates from being forced tightly againstthe bushings these and the sheaves which would bind parts against free rotation.V f

Another objectof the invention is to pro-y vide a shackle having' a number of prongs one or more of which are vmovably vheld be-L tween the plates of the block to prevent the shackle and the plates from collapsible f vention is to all the views,

tion therewith..

Y COLLAPSIBLE'AND INTERCHANGEABLE BLOCK.4

Patented .nay is, i915.

movement when subjected tothe strain of a heavy load; and a furtherv object ofthe inprovide a simple and eilicient block wh1chmay be made so as tocombine A great, strength `and durability.

Vith these and other objects in View the invention will be here inafter more particu.

larlyhdescribed with reference to the accomy panying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar charactersof. Y

corresponding parts `in and Will thenbe pointed out in therclaims at the end of the description. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of collapsible and interreference indicate changeable block embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 lis a section taken on the line II--II vof Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view takenl through a block wherein a slightly diii'erentform of shaft is used in conjuncone of the Fig. 5 is a vertical section, partly in detail',

through the shackle used in the block.

The collapsible and interchangeable block has two end plates 10, 11 and may have a suitable number of intermediate plates, as' 12,13f14 therebetween, and these plates arev adapted -to be disposed in spaced parallel arrangement. All the plates may be elliptic or any other desired shapes, andthe platespreferably correspond in size and thickness.

Iv Through 'the center of each of the plates 10,

Fig. 4;is'an` elevation of' plates employed in 'the block, and

plates so as' to register with each other when the'plates are assembled. Through a corresponding part of the upper end portions of each of the plates is an opening 17, and glike wise through a corresponding part kof the lower end opening l In conjunction with the plates'lO, 11, 12, 13, 14 of the block may be used eitherav graduated round sha-ft, as 19 Fig. 2, or a straight round shaft, as 20 Fig. 3.

ends will extend beyond the end plates of the block, andthis shaft is formed of re duced portions 21, 22, 23, Q4, the diameter of each of which may be of a suitable size relatively to-the other reduced portions,

portions ofeach plate isa second Thegraduated shaft`19 is of a length so that its though the" shaft is preferably made sothat yits reduced portions vary 'regularly from ery of the shaft 19 at' the juncture of each of the reduced portions with itsI next adialthe largest portion at one of its endstogthe smallest portionat its end, as shownforir i sta-nce the diameters of the portions,=21,22,ff 23, 24 may be respectively 1% inches, 24s

inches, 22- inches, 2% inches. In the periph- .-length` to extend'soine distance beyond the end plates of the block, and the" peripheries of these ,extending parts of the shaft are threaded, at 32, toreceive nuts 33 thereon.-

At spaced intervals inthe periphery yof the shaft. 20 are ,annular grooves 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 all of whichy are `ofsimilar depths, and all of. these grooves are of -slightly greater widths than the thickness of the plates so that the plates when mounted therein will not move laterally.

, On the shaft of the'block in the spaces between the platesl10, 11, 12, 13, 1.4 are freely rotatable bushings A39, 40, 41, 42, all of which are circular in shape, and each bushing has a ring, or sleeve 43. Interiorly of each of Ithe sleeves 43 is avbearing` 44, and these bearings are preferably of well-known selflubricating types made of copper having in n the inner surfaces thereof spaced recesses `v'containing a graphite lubricating material.

In forms of the block where the grooved.

straight shafts 20 are4 used the bushings 39, 40, 41, 42 are similar in diameters while in the blocks where the grooved graduated shafts 19 aieV employed these bushings are formed to'correspond in diameters by making the sleeves 43 thereof of different suitablethicknesses, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the reduced portions 21, 22, 23, 24 of the shaft 19 will be compensated for so that the peripheries of the bearings will be in alinement. All of the bushings 39, 40, 41, 42 are of approximately the same widths as the `widths of the shaft betweenv its annular grooves so as to iit closely between the plates,

'1 but will revolve freely on the shaft.

' On the bushings 39, 40, 4l, 42 are freely revoluble sheaves 45, 46, 47, 48 all of which are preferably similar in diameter, and the openings through the centers of these sheaves are likewise similar in diameters.

-In the opening of each of the sheaves 45, 46,

47, 48 is a fixed bearing 49,-and these bearings are preferably of the same class as the bearings 44, being made of copper having in vtheirinner surfaces spaced recessesrcontaining: a graphiteA 'lubricating material. The

', shaves 45, 46, 47, 48 correspond in widths to the widths of the bushings 39, 40, 41, 42, andby making the sheaves :and the ,bushings to confornrsubstantia-lly to the widths fof the portions of the shaft between its grooves as well asf'conforming to the widths of the spaces between the plates 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, they will tend to revolve in a true line without lateral movement, thereby tending to equalize the wear thereof. Also by making the sheaves and the bushings to revolveseparately the rotation of the sheaves will be insured in event of one or more of the bushings failing to revolve freely through any accidental. cause.` y

Then assembling'either of the shafts, the sheaves, andthe platestogether one of the nuts is screwed 4onthe threaded right end of the shaft, and the shaft is guided through the larger opening 16 of the end plate 11. The bushing`42 and the-sheave 48 are applied onfthe `shaft which is Athen passed through the larger opening of the intermediate plate 14, andthe bushing 41 with the slieave v47 aremounted on the shaft, after' which the shaft is passed through the larger opening in the plate 13. The bushing 40 withthe sheave 46 are next applied on the shaft-vf'hich is passed through the larger opening of the plate 12, and the bushing 39 with the sheave 45 are mounted on the shaft. The shaft is then passed through the larger opening of theend plate 10, and the second nut is screwedon the threaded left hand end of the shaft. The plates 10, 11, '12, 13, 14

are movedso as to register with the annular grooves of the shaft, and the plates' are directed for the parts of the shaft forming lthe bases of the annular grooves thereof to lbe guided 'into the smaller communicating openings 15 of the plates. In this manner' the plates will be detaclia-bly positioned on the shaft in spaced' parallel arrangement as" well as being held against lateral' movement;- to prevent binding the bushings and the assembled in each of the spaces between the upper ends of the plates 10, 1l, 12.v 13, 14 is' iio arranged an apert'ured spacer or sleeve, as

50, so that the holes thereof lwillregister with the holes 17 of the plates. A becket pin, or bolt, as 51, is guided throughl all of these registered holes, and these parts are .tightened by accordinglyscrewing nuts 52 and 53 on the threaded ends of the pin.`

In the lower end of the block is a removable shackle, as 54, which serves to allow an article or another block to be 'detachably connected thereto. The shackle 54 is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel disposed 115-V sheaves. 'Vhen these parts ofthe block are Y prongs 55, 56, 57, 58 extending from one of its ends, and whileA in the drawings are shown four of. these prongs, forms of the shackle may be made having one or any suitmit the block and the shackle to be relatively.,

moved rotatably is passed through all of the registeredopenings, and bythe use of nuts` .6l and 62 on the threaded ends ofthe pin the shackle will be removably held to the block. Onithe other end' of the shackle, and

' extending infopposite. directions 'as well as extending laterally" with.`v respect Yto the 4 prongs,vv are two spaced parallel prongs, or

fingers 63and 64: havingregistered openings 65 and 66 respectively therethrough. In a vpart of theinnersurface ofthe vprong 63 is a recess 67 communicating with the opening 65, Vand the,end-`of this recess within the prong63 serves as' a stop` 671.4 Through a part of the prong 64 is a slot 68 communieating with the opening 66, and this-slot is finregister ,with recess 67 of the prong 63.*

In order to permit an article to be detachably connectedto'the. prongs 63 and t3-l, in the openings 65 and-66 thereof is adjustably" disposed a pin 69 which is of sufficient length so that both of its ends will v-extend beyond the sides of the prongs.- Extending outwardly o f the periphery of the pin 69 adjacentto one of its ends is a screw, or knob 70 which is of a size adapted to be guided inwardly and outwardly of the slot 68 and the recess 67 of the prongs 63 and 64. Through an opening 71 in the opposite end portion ofthe pin 69 is a Cotter pin 72 or the like.`

The cotter pin 72 and the knob 70 are spaced apart so as to contact with the outer side surfaces of the prongs 63 and `64, and when it is desired to attach an article `to the lshackle the adjustable pinf69 is 'rotated so that the knob 70 will-pass through the slot 68 and into therecess 67 during the withdrawal of the pin outwardly of the openings of the prongs G3 and 6i of the shackle. The knob will contact with the stop4 67a of the recess 67, and the pin will' be prevented from accidental loss byV being held to the shackle. `The article, for instance another shackle as 7 3 with a single apertured prong as 74. is then placed betweenthe .prongs G3 and 6i, .and the pin is reverselyguided through'its openings of the prongs and through therecess 67 and the slot 66. When the knob 70 has passed eXteriorly of the slot'- the pin rotatably moved for contact with the prong 64, land the pinl will thereby be held againstl accidental movement in the shackle. The provision ofthe shackle 54 in this form and -employingit in" conjunction with the'block in the manner describedwill obviate the tendency of the shackle and the plates of the blockto any collapsible movement when subjected to the strain of a heavy load, and by making the block of the collapsible and interchangeable type as herein eX- plained vits parts are adapted to be detached from each other to allow one or more of the parts to be replacedwhen damaged by wear or otherwise.

In the foregoing description, I have embodied: the preferredy form of. my' invention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as .I am aware that modiications may be made therein without departing from theprinciple or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore I reserve to myselfthe right 'to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims. j

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire Patent: A

. l. A block of the character'described, comprising a shaft having two spaced. annular grooves in its periphery, two plates vhaving registered openings through which the shaft is removably disposed, and the edge of each plate `at its openings b'eing seated in one of the grooves of the shaft to prevent the plates from lateral movement, a sheave rotatable on the 'shaft betweenthe plates, means on the shaft toprevent accidental displacement of the shaft from the plates and from the sheave, and removable :means on the plates to permit an article to be detachably con- I nected to the block.

2. A -block of the -character described, comprising ashaft having two spaced annular grooves in its periphery, two plates having registered openings through which the shaft isremovably disposed, and the. edge of each plate at its opening being seated in` oneof the grooves of the shaft lto prevent the plates from lateral movement, a bushing freely rotatable on the shaft between the plates, a sheave freely revoluble on the bushing, means on the shaft to prevent its accidental'displacement from the platesqand the bushing, and removable means on the plates to permit an article to be detachably connected to the block. v

3. A block of the character described, comprising a shaft having a plurality of spaced annular grooves in its periphery, two

to secure by ALetters plates having registered openings through which the shaft is removably disposed, and the edge ofeach plate at its opening being removably seated in one of the grooves of the shaft to prevent the plates from lateral movement, a sheave on the shaft, between the plates, and the sheaves being approximately the same .width as the space between the plates, means on the shaft to prevent accidental displacement of thesliaftfrom the plates and" the sheave, and a removable. lshackle on the plates'to permit an article to be detachably connected to the block.

4. A block of the character described, comprising a shaft having a plurality of spaced annular grooves in its periphery, two plates having registered openings through which the shaft is removably disposed, and

two plates having centrally thereof registhe edge of each plate at its opening being removably seatedl,in one of the grooves of the shaft to prevent the plates from lateral vmoventien't,a freely revoluble bushing on tered corresponding openings, and having larger registered openings communicating with the` smaller openings, a shaft having in its periphery two spaced annular grooves of uniform depths, said shaft being first disposed through the larger registered openings 'of the plates and then guided into the smaller communicating yopenings so that each plate will be removably seated in yone of the grooves of the shaft, the grooveslbe- -ing of widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, a sheave freely revoluble on the shaft .between the plates, and means on,

the shaft to prevent the shaft from accidental displacement with the plates and the sheave.

6. In a block ofthe character described, two.` plates having centrally thereof registered corresponding openings, and having larger registered openings. communicating with the smaller openings, a shaft having in its periphery two spaced annular grooves of uniform depths, said shaft being first disposed through the larger registered openings of the. platesand then guided into the smaller communicating openings so that each plate will be removably seated in one of the grooves of the shaft, the grooves being'of widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, a bushing freely rotatable on the shaft between the plates, a sheave freely revoluble on the bushing, and means on the shaft to prevent' the shaft from accidentaldisplacement with the platesand the bush- In a block of the character described,

two end plates and an intermediate plate all having centrally thereof registered corresponding openings, and having larger regissmaller openings, a shaft having in its pe' riphery three spaced annular grooves of imiform depths, said shaft bein'gfirst disposed through the larger registeredopfenings of the plates and then guided intothe smaller communicating openings thereof so that each plate will be removably seated in one of the grooves of the shaft, the grooves being of widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, two sheaves freely revoluble on the shaft, oneA between the intermediate plate and each of the end plates, and means on the shaftto preventthe shaft `from accidental displacement with the plates and theA sheaves, and means to permit an article to be detachably connected to the block.

8. In a block of the character described,

two endl plates and an intermediate .plate all having centrally thereof registered corresponding openings, and having larger registered openings communicating with the smaller openings, a shaft having in itsperipherythree spaced annular .grooves of p `uniform depths', said shaft being first disposed through the larger registered openings of the plates and then guided into the smaller communicating openings thereof so that each plate will be removably seated in one of the grooves of the shaft, the grooves being of widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, two freely revolublebushings on thesliaft, one between the intermediate plate and each of the end plates, two freely revoluble sheaves one on each of the bushings, and means on the shaft to prevent the shaft from accidental displacement-wfiththe plates and the bushings. y

9. In a block of the character described, two end plates and a plurality of interme- `diate plates all having centrally thereof regl istered corresponding openings, and having.

larger registered openings communicating with the smaller openings,`a shaft having in its periphery a plurality of spaced annular grooves of uniform depths, said shaft vbeing rst disposed through the larger registered openings of the plates and then guided into the smaller vcommunicating openings thereof so' that each plate Atvill be removably seated in one of the grooves ofthe shaft, the Agrooves being of widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, aplurality of freely revoluble bushings onthe shaft, one in each space between the plates, a plurality of fi'eely'revoluble sheaves one on each of the bushings, all of the bushings and the sheaves being of widths corresponding approximately to the widths of the spaces between the plates, means on the shaft to prevent its accidental displacement with the plates andthe sheaves, and a shackle on the plates to permit an ai'- ticle to be detachably connected to theblock.

10. In a block of the character described, two end plates and a plurality of intermediate plates all having centrally thereof registered corresponding openings, and having larger registered openings communicating with the smaller openings, ashaft formed with graduated reduced portions, and having in 4its periphery spaced annular grooves one at the juncture of each reduced portion with its next adjacent reduced portion, said shaft being lirst disposed through the larger registered openings of the plates and then guided into the smaller communicating openings thereof s'o that each plate will beremovably seated in one of the grooves of the shaft, the grooves being of Widths to prevent lateral movement of the plates, a plurality of freely revoluble bushings one on each reduced portion of the shaft in each 'space be-il tween the plates, and said bushings being of i graduated thicknesses so that the -outer peripheries thereof are in alinement, Va plurality of freely vrotatable sheaves one on each of the bushings, means lon the' shaft to prevent its accidental displacement with the plates and the bushings, and means onthe plates to permit an article to be detachably connectedto the block.

This specification signed and witnessed this twelfth day of December A. D. 1914:. y ROBERT DUN SEATH. Witnesses:

Rom. B. ABBOTT, M. DERMODY. 

